F1: Ricciardo excluded from Australian GP

Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull has been excluded from second place in Formula 1's 2014 season-opening Australian Grand Prix for fuel-flow irregularities.

The world champion team will appeal against the verdict.

The Australian delighted his home crowd by qualifying on the front row and finishing runner-up to Nico Rosberg's dominant Mercedes on his Red Bull debut.

But the stewards began an investigation post-race, after the FIA reported that Ricciardo's RB10 had "consistently" exceeded the fuel flow limit of 100kg/h mandated in the new 2014 regulations.

Stewards' Ricciardo ruling in full

After several hours of deliberation, the stewards confirmed Ricciardo's exclusion from second place, which promotes McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen to second and teammate Jenson Button to third.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso now takes fourth, Valtteri Bottas fifth for Williams, while Nico Hulkenberg is promoted into the top six. His Force India teammate Sergio Perez takes the final point for 10th spot, behind Kimi Raikkonen's seventh placed Ferrari and the two Toro Rossos of Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat.

Red Bull immediately notified the FIA of its intent to appeal the decision.

"Inconsistencies with the FIA fuel flow meter have been prevalent all weekend up and down the pitlane," said a Red Bull statement. "The team and Renault are confident the fuel supplied to the engine is in full compliance with the regulations."